Five killed, including a toddler, in an arson attack at flat in Phoenix

Five people were killed, including a three-year-old toddler, in an arson attack at a flat in Phoenix.

RESIDENTS REPORTED A DOMESTIC ALTERCATION AT THE FLAT BEFORE THE FIRE

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker, the fatal attack happened in the early hours of Monday morning.

“Phoenix police responded to a report of a fire at a flat on Kidstone Place.

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“When police arrived at the scene, they found that seven residents of the flat managed to escape whilst five perished in the fire.”

He said those killed are aged between 37 and 3 years old.

“Residents reported that there was a domestic altercation at the flat prior to the fire.”

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On Monday, police arrested a 57-year-old man at the home of his relatives in the Phoenix area.

“He had serious burn wounds and was taken to a local hospital where wheres he is being held under police guard.”

Phoenix police are investigating a case of arson and murder.

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Meanwhile, a manhunt has been launched for five armed men who attacked and shot police officers and emergency services who were busy attending to a scene in the early hours of Sunday.

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, members of the South African Police Service and a Fire Brigade official were attending to an accident scene on the R40 Road at Ga-Bereta near Bushbuckridge.

“Police in Mpumalanga have launched a manhunt for suspects who shot at members of the South African Police Service as well as a Fire Brigade official that attended to an accident scene on the R40 Road at Ga-Bereta near Bushbuckridge.”

Mohlala said the incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of today, Sunday, 31 October 2021, around 02h15.

“According to the information, police together with emergency services were notified of a homicide incident in which a vehicle veered off the road and fell into the river, resulting in the death of a driver with one occupant who survived.

“Whilst the officials were busy at the scene, a group of about five suspects emerged from the nearby bushes and indiscriminately fired shots at them. It is further reported that the suspects demanded firearms and bulletproofs from the members.”